Coal of Africa halts Vele work in environment row

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Coal of Africa said on Wednesday it had halted some construction activities at its Vele Colliery in South Africa after a government order which said they contravened environmental laws, sending its shares down.

Several environmental groups had appealed to South Africa's mining ministry against granting of a new mining right for the Vele Colliery on concerns that it might increase pollution at Mapungubwe, a World Heritage Site, located near the Kruger National Park, the country's premier national wildlife park.